NEWS HEADLINES

BAGGED – Nine duffel bags filled with marijuana were found in a trailer during a traffic stop this week. Submitted photo

For the second time this year, a traffic stop in Wise County has resulted in the discovery of at least 600 pounds of marijuana.

The latest stop was made at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday when a Department of Public Safety Trooper stopped a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup and trailer on U.S. 81/287 for a traffic violation.

“Due to indications of criminal activity, a police canine was called to the scene. As a result, approximately 600 pounds of marijuana was found in the trailer,” DPS spokesperson Lt. Lonny Haschel said.

Marijuana was discovered inside nine large duffel bags.

The driver, Bryan Berc, 38, of Toluca Lake, Calif., was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana 50 to 2,000 pounds. Berc was taken to the Wise County Jail. He was released Wednesday after posting $20,000 bond.

The narcotics allegedly originated in California and were being transported to Florida, Haschel said.

Back in January, officers with the North Texas Sheriff’s Criminal Interdiction Unit discovered 677 pounds of marijuana after stopping an RV that had been traveling south on U.S. 81/287.

On July 20, DPS made another traffic stop that resulted in the discovery of approximately 51 pounds of marijuana. A trooper stopped a 2018 Ford Fusion for speeding southbound on U.S. 81/287 in Decatur. When the officer noticed indications of criminal activity, a police canine was called to the scene. The marijuana was discovered during the subsequent search.

The driver, 20-year-old Daniel Tran of Aurora, Colo., and two passengers, Jeffrey Tran, 22, of Semmes, Ala., and Yong Hu of Aurora, Colo., were all arrested and charged with possession of marijuana 50 to 2,000 pounds. Jeffrey Tran was also arrested on a Mobile, Ala., warrant of trafficking marijuana. He remained in the Wise County Jail Friday while the other two had posted $25,000 bond and had been released.

Officers believe the drugs were being transported from Colorado to Dallas.

Leave a Reply. Note: As of March 24, 2011, all posted comments will include the users full name.